‘I love being a priest but I hope celibacy rule will be lifted’

IRELAND
Irish Independent

By Breda Heffernan

Saturday April 14 2012

FR Paddy Byrne, at 38, is the youngest priest in his diocese.

It is a title he has held, much to his disappointment, for the past 11 years.

He would like to be able to marry and is a supporter of women entering the priesthood and, therefore, finds himself at odds with the leadership of the Catholic Church.

He said yesterday he hoped the hierarchy would consider the results of the survey by the Association of Catholic Priests, although he was not holding his breath.

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